Automatic train-pipe connector.



J. v. ROBINSONL AUTOMATICTRAIN PIPE CONNECTOR. APPLICATION FILE D MAR. 13. I914. RENEWED APR. 6.1917.

Patented Nov. 6, 1917.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. c, 1917.

Original application filed December 19, 1912, Serial No. 737,728. Divided and this application filed March 13, 1914, Serial No. 824,520. Renewed April 6, 1917. Serial No. 160,314.

2 '0 all whom, it may concern:

' Be it known that I, Josnrn V. Ronmsos,

at its rear end with an annular flange 9 and one or more webs or lugs 10, and in the end I a citizen of the United States, and a resiof each of the cylindrical portions 6 of the dent of Branford, county of -New Haven,

State of Conn, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Train-Pipe Connectors, of which the following is a specification.

This is a division of my co-pending application Serial Number 737,728, filed December 19, 1912, for improvements in automatic train pipe couplers, and the present invention has for its object to provide an improved means of renewing defective gas-- kets between the faces of coupled coupler heads without first uncoupling the cars.

While the present invention is particularly adapted to coupler heads of the pin and funnel construction, it may be successfully used with any one of several wellknown types. It is a means of renewing defective gaskets by which the coupler heads are parted without injury or danger to the operator and maintained substantially in alinement while separated. The improvement may be used interchangeably with any number of connectors in a train, is simple and compact and may be carried conveniently by the trainmen.

The invention consists in the combinations, arrangements and constructions hereinafter described, pointed out in the appended claims and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Figure 1, is a side elevation of my improvement.

. Fig. 2, is an end view thereof, and

Fig. 3, is a horizontal section of two coupler heads connected together, showing my improvement applied thereto.

Referring to the drawings, the coupling heads referred to in the following description of the use of my improvedmeans of renewing defective gaskets, are'supported in any suitable manner and are placed under pressure in coupling by a suitable means,

such for instance asa spring B against the tension of which the heads are separated in making repairs.

I provide the coupling head with a guiding prong 5, having a cylindrical portion 6 adapted to snugly fit within a corresponding portion 7 of the funnel 8 on an opposing head. The portion 7 is provided prong 5, I form a socket 11.

y improvement, comprising a head or member 12 and spaced claws 13, is slipped 60 over the cylindrical portion 7 and behindi the annular flange 9 and against the webs 10 and threadingly receives a screw 14 which enters the socket 11 of the prong 5, so that by turning the screw 14 the faces of the cou- 6E pling heads A are forced apart sufficiently to permit ready removal and replacement of the gaskets 15 of mating heads. During this operation rotary movement of the member 12 relative to the portion 7 is prevented by engagement of the claws 13 with the webs 10. I

The socketing' of the screw 14 in the cylindrical portions 6 of the prong prevents disalinement of the coupling heads when said portion 6 of the prong is forced out of the corresponding portion 7 of the funnel 8. When thus separating the heads under a condition of disalin'ement, one of the claws 5 13 of the member 12 is placed upon the funnel 8 so as to engage the portion 7 thereof at a point diametrically opposite to the direction the prong 5 of the heads would tend to travel when the heads are shifted from engagement and the prong 5 leaves the portion 7 of the funnel. This positioning of the member 12 removes the possibility of it being lifted off the funnel, permitting dis-- alinement of the heads A when separated to repair defective gaskets under the conditions mentioned. One of these clamps should be provided for each coupling head in making repairs.

Having thus described my said invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by 96 United States Letters Patent is:

1. In an automatic train pipe coupling, the "combination of a pair of coupled connector heads, guiding means for said heads, and means removably connected with said 100 guiding means for separating said heads to permit removal and replacement of defective gaskets without uncoupling the cars.

2. In an automatic train pipe coupling, the combination of a pair of coupled connector heads, guiding means for said heads, and manually operated screw means removably connected with said guiding means for nector heads,

separating said heads to permit removal and replacement of defective gaskets *ithont uncoupling the cars 3. In an automatic train pipe coupling,

the combination of a pair of coupled conhector heads provided with iiering guiding means, manually operated mechanism reinovahly connected to said guiding for separating said heads, and a stop on said guiding means for preventing rotation of seid mechanism relative to said means.

In an automatic train pipe coupling, the combination with a pair of coupled connector heads and pin and funnel guiding ineens therefor, of manuelly operated means detechebly carried o said funnels for moving seiol pins relative to the tunnels to separate said heads Without uncoupling the cars.

5, In an automatic train pipe coupling, the combination of a pair of coupled {E}.- nector heads, pin and funnel guiding means therefor, a threaded clamp adapted to connected with the funnel of one of seid heads, anda screvs mounted in said clamp and engaging the pin of the other heed for moving the pin relative to the tunnel to separate said heads Without uncoupling the cars.

6. in an automatic train pipe coupling, the combination of a pair of coupled conpin and funnel gathering means therefor, a flange on the smell end of said tunnel, a. threaded clamp provided with spaced claws for engaging said flange, means for preventing rotation of the clamp neee eo on-the fienge, ends screw carried by said cleinn for moving the pin of one of said heads relative to the funnel of the other head:

'2'. In an automatic train pipe coupling, the combination with e pair or" meted couplers having pin and funnel guiding means, of removable and interchangeable clamps adapted to be temporarily connected with the tunnels and having screws for forcing the pins out of their seats in the tunnels to separate the feces of the couplers and hold the some separated for the purpose set forth.

8. In an automatic train pipe coupling, the combination "with it peir of coupled train pipe heads provided with flaring guiding means, of means reniovehly connected with said guiding means for relatively shifting said heads and for preventing disalinenient thereof in the shifted position.

in an automatic train pipe coupling, the combination of a coupling head provided with pin and funnel guiding means, a pin in said funnel provided with a socket, and means seated in said socket and removehly supported by said tunnel for shifting the pin relative to the funnel and preventing diseli'nement thereof in the shifted position.

In testimony whereof, l have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two Witnesses,

JQSEPH V. ROBINSUN. lin the presence of Anrnne L. BRYANT, S. C, MCBRIDE. 

